Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 1
Archaeological Evidences of Pinle (Maingmaw)
Lwin Lwin Kyaw
Abstract Pinle (Maingmaw) old city is one of the largest Pyu ancient cities on the entire Kyaukse plain. Pinle old city is roughly circular in shape. In this region Myitnge, Zawgyi, Panlaung and Samon rivers are flowing. Pinle is situated between two rivers, Panlaung and Samon. The four rivers are the mains sources of water for irrigation that area is favoured for successful cultivation and transportation as well. Pinle is included in Lei-twin 11 Kharuin (district).The excavation at Pinle the number of total site is 21 sites. According to archaeological evidences and the landscape feature, Pinle is one of the most important of human settlements, thus Pinle (Maingmaw) old city is in the early urbanization or early Pyu period. Keywords: Archaeological landscape, material, society;
Introduction Pinle (Maingmaw) old city is situated 5 miles to the southeast of Kume in Myittha township, Kyaukse district, Mandalay Region. It is located Lat 21° 17' N and long 96° 21' E. Pinle (Mingmaw) old city is roughly circular in shape. It has two inner enclouser walls, the inner one is circular and the outer one is rectangular in shape. The original name of Maingmaw is Pinle Myohaung. Pinle is included in Lei-twin 11 Kharuin. In Chinese records, Pinle (Maingmaw) is Tu-Min, situated along the trade route connected from China to India passing through the Pyu land. Pinle (Maingmaw) was systematically excavated in from 1979- 2011. A total of 21 sites were excavated. After excavation, each sites would give its own history. The excavation from the site reveal considerable number of archaeological evidences in Pyu cultural context. In these facts, this paper mentioned archaeological landscape, and archaeological material and the cultural society of Pyu ancient city.
Landscape of Pinle (MAINGMAW) Pinle (Maingmaw) old city is situated 5 miles to the southeast of kume in Myittha township, Kyaukse district, Mandalay Region. It is located lat 21°17' N and long 96° 21' E. The landscape of Pinle is about 305 ft above sea level. The annual rainfall is 40 inches in Pinle. Among them, some hot spring has heat temperature 99.8° F and 40. 50°F respectively. Pinle (Maingmaw) old city is one of the largest pyu ancient cities on the entire kyaukse plain. It has an area of 2.6 square miles and it is roughly circular in shape. It has two inner enclosure walls which the inner one is circular and the outer one is rectangular in shape. Within the circle of the old city, Maingmaw village and Ohn-hnae-poat village are situated at its centre, and to the northeast is Kanswe village, while to the southeast of the Aungchantha, Tawdwin and Nyaungbintha villages. Nat -Hlwe canal also support the main source of water supply to the cultivation in this region. Nat Hlwe canal a crosses from northeast to southwest in pinle old city. Nat - Hlwe canal which runs from the southeastern outer part of the city, flowing through the base of the Shwegedi Range. In this region Myitnge, Zawgyi, Panlaung and Samon rivers are flowing. Pinle is situated between two rivers Panlaung and Samon that area favoured for successful cultivation and transportation as well. Among the four chief rivers, Myitnge, Zawgyi, Panlaung and Samon rivers are the main sources of water for irrigation. Thus, Pinle old city has good access to point with north such as Muse on the present Chinese border and may well in the past have served as trading centre with Yunan. The original name of Maingmaw is Pinle Myohaung. Ancient cornical do not mention the name of Mingmaw. Taungtwin Khinkyiphyaw the author
Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, Yadanabon University Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 2 of Zambu Concha Kyam mentioned this area as Pyu Detha. According to this, Pyu Detha consists of Hanthawati, Yadanapura, Makkhara, Pinle, Kaungsonpye, Alakappa, Leikaing, Tagaung and Sri- Ksetra. Now, the site is named as Maingmaw depending on the name of the village situated inside the old city. Maingmaw is a Shan word, meaning shan island. Pinle is included in Lei- twin 11 kharuin (district). Mlacsa (Myittha) 11 kharuin has been known as Lei- twin kharuin during the time of Bagan period. These Lei- twin 11 kharuin of 11 villages are as follows; 1 - Pinle (Pan Lay) 2 - Myitmana (Plañmana) 3 - Myittha (Mlacsā) 4 - Myingkhongdaing (Mrankhuntuin) 5 - Yamon (Rāmun) 6 - Panan(Panan) 7 - Mekkhaya (Makkharā) 8 - Tapyettha (Taplat sā) 9 - Thindaung (San ton) 10 - Tamot (Tamut) and 11 - Khanlu (Khumlu:) Later in the region of king Badom in Konbaung period, the whole Kyaukse plain was formed into 9 Kharuins. The 9 Kharuins of Lei- twin consisted of Sawhla, Pinle, Myittha and Pyimana depanding on Panlaung rivers, and Myaunghla, Myinggondaing, Panan, Mekkhaya and Myinsaing depending on Zawgyi river. The nearest mountain range to the west of the site is Shwezedi range and the paralled one is Pyatkhaywe range which is the highest mountain among the other hillocks in Kyaukse plain. To the northeast is Nat-Htaik range pass which also served the important path ways from the Shan highlands to the plains. By such nature of environmental factors, the region of the old city takes favour for strategic position. Pinle is one of the most important of human settlement on the landscape features, thus it is in the early Urban societies.
Map(1) Location of Pinle (Maingmaw) Map(2) Landscape Feature of Pinle Archaeological Site (Maingmaw) Ancient City (Source from Internet)
Archaeological Material of pinle Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 3
There are 21 sites were excaved in this old city during from 1979 to 2011. The excavation from the site reveal considerable number of archaeological evidences in Pyu cultural context such as are pottery (various of types), funeral urns, terracotta horse-riding relief, earthen- wares, beads (terracotta, stone), bricks (with finger-marked), buddha images, gold objects, silver objects, bronze objects, iron objects, some Pyu coins, stone inscription (with Pyu language) were found. The pottery which the variety of domestic pottery, namely, storage jars of various types, medium-sized pots, small-sized pots, dishes, cooking vessels, bowl, basin, drinking cups and oil lamps are un covered from pinle. The pottery can be divided into two groups. They are domestic pottery and ceremonial or religious pottery. The domestic pots are storage jars of various forms, medium-sized pots and small-sized pot, dishes, cooking vessels, bowl, basin. The ceremonial or religious pottery are oil lamps, stupa-shaped pots and funeral urns. The designs of potshereds are geometrical designs, rouletted patterns, chevrons, criss-cross and stamped figures of human beings. Decorations on the exterrior of domestic-wares consists of incised sample criss-cross, hatch, groove, low ridge. The funeral urns can be two groups such as cylindrial shape and globular pot with mutil ridges neck. They are exactly similar to those found at Halin and Beikthano. Therefore, it is that Beikthano, Halin and Pinle (Maingmaw) are contemporary. The colour stone beads could be traced to Tibet of the 2nd century BCE and their use is so widespread not only in mainland Southeast Asia but also to maritime Southeast Asia. Silver beads of Pyu period were unearthed from the site number MM 8 of Pinle old city. It is 2.25 cm high and 2.24 cm wide. The open part of the bead around the string hole is ornamented and the gold beads are also uncovered. Among the finds from Pinle were beads bearing the figure of elephant. Similar beads were also uncovered in other ancient cities of Sriksetra, Halin and Vishnu. The beads bearing the figurer of cattle and pigs were also unearthed in Pinle, Incidentally, the find of beads bearing the figures of dog in Halin old city suggests that the Pyu made the toy animals and wore them as necklace. Beads of the Pyu culture are found in the form of conch, shell, melon, octahedron, polyhedron, hexagon, bell, claw, oval shape, rectangular shape, conical shape, durian shape, axe shape, drum shape, etc. Animal figures and auspicious symbols are common decorative deigns. The animal figures comprise garuda, lion, ox, elephant etc. The most common stone beads materials were red, orange, yellow, brown and white carnelians, variety of green chalcedony, crystal, amber, amethyst, jasper and onyx. Among, some beads as brown and dark are support to be of Neolithic product and tiger-figurine bead, elephant-figurine bead, cow- figurine beads and pig figurine beads are common in Samon Valley.
Fig.3 Carnelin Bead of Pinle Fig.4 Stone of Bead of Pinle Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 4
Bricks with finger-marked designs are found at Pinle (Maingmaw) and many of the ancient Pyu cities of Myanmar. Bricks measurement are 18"×9"×3". The finger marked patterns of bricks constitude a cultural tradition which coincides with the constructions of Mon cities in the early centures of the Christian era. The designs can be divided into six types. They are as follows: (1) straight lines, (2) Curve line (3) Digonal line (4) Wavy lines, (5) Numerals and Pyu alphabet and (6) Other patterns (riding horse relief and relief figure) Finger-marked bricks are found among the brick of city walls, ruined stupas and other brick structures at cities. The design have been made with one or a number of fingers being drawn across the surface of brick prior to firing. Sometimes the brick is marked straight or diagonally along the whole length. The maxium number of line is four. The finger-marked, brick are also found Beikthano Sri-ksetra, Halin, Pinle, Thaton, Kyaikkatha, Waddi, The'gon, Bagan, Tagaung, Zothok, Winka, Phann, Waw, Mudon and Kawgun cave.
Fig. 5 Diagonal lines Bricks of Pinle Fig.6 Curve lines Brick of Pinle
Fig.7 Bricks with Relief figure of Pinle Fig.8 Riding horse Relief figure of Pinle Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 5
Numismatic (coin) evidences collated from Pinle (Maingmaw) have great archaeological value. Depending on their form and style of symbols and shape, the evidences can be divided into three groups. Type I (a) Heterogeneous with Rising Sun and Srivatra (b) Heterogeneous with Wheel (full sun) and Srivatra Type II (a) Common Pyu Coin with Baddhapitha and Srivatsa (b) Common Pyu Coin with Rising Sun and Srivatsa Type III (a) Controversial coin or Fantasy Coin Heterogeneous coins are also known as Pinle (Maingmaw) coins for most of them are uncovered from Pinle (Maingmaw). In some cases, one side of the coin bearing the wheel is like that of Heterogeneous Rising Sun/ Srivatsa coin convex. Type two has the symbol of conch in Srivatsa on the obverse and Baddhapitha on the reverse. Apart from Pinle this type of coins has been reported from Hmawza (Old Prome). Common Pyu coin with Rising Sun/ Srivatsa coins are discovered from Pinle.
Fig.14 Rising Sun Coin of Pinle Fig.15 Srivatsa Coin of Pinle
Based on the coins discovered from the ancient city of Pinle (Maingmaw) it can be deduced that the faith of the Pyu people at that time was related to Jainism, Brahmanism and Buddhism as the coins of ancient city of Pinle (Maingmaw) were similar to those of Beikthano, Halin, Sriksetra Thailand and Cambodia. A Stone inscription was unearthed from the hillside of Wuttetaung near Myanadi village to the east of Pinle (Maingmaw). The insciption was written in Pyu language clearly. It has ten lines. The characters inscribed on it is found closely to Halin Pyu inscription. Thus, it can be reasonably concluded that a written style might have developed in the ancient city Pinle. So, literature also developed in Pinle (Maingmaw) old city. A silver Buddha image with the height of about four inches were exacavated from Pinle. These images had four lines of Pyu script on the ornamental backdrop of the image with the Buddhist's fifth of opening words of Yedamma hetuppabava", that literature appeared in Pinle like other Pyu cities of Sri-ksetra and Halin. Buddhist sculpture Buddha image and religious edifices can be regarded as the strong evidence on the flourshing of Buddhism. So the people of Pinle was familiar with the teachings of Buddha and they could comprehend the sense of cause-and-effect philosophy. It was probably intended for the perpetuation of the Buddha Sasana. The excavated structural remains can be divided into five groups as follows; religious structures, residentential building, ritual building, city wall and gate way. MM-1 is a burial site. MM-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13 and PL-21 residential building. MM-7,8,14,15,16,17 and PL-20 are religious structurers. PL-19 is city wall and PL-18 is gateway.
Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 6
Cultural Society of Pinle The study on the archaelogical evidences show that Pinle old city was florished during the early urbanization or early Pyu period. Pinle is one of the ancient pyu cities. Pinle is roughly circular in shape. And then, in Chinese records, it is Tu - Min, situated along the trade route connected from China to India passing through the Pyu land. The 9 garrison towns mentioned in the Chinese record of Tan dynasty are as follows; (i) Tao- Lin - Wang (Lin - Yang), Taungdwingyi (ii) His - Li- I (His -Li / Sri), Thibaw (iii) San -T'o, Halin (iv) Mi - No - Tao - Li, (Waddi) Nahtogyi (v) Tu - Mi, (Pinle) Maingmaw (vi) Ti - Chieh, Htigyanit (vii) Ta - Li - Mou, (Hmawza) Thegon (Viii) Kan - Tang, Kanthida (ix) Mo - Pu, (Maoriya) Near Mweyin So, the old city of pinle (maingmaw) has been flourished as one of the ancient cities since Pyu period.
Conclusion Pinle (Maingmaw) is an ancient city near Kume, Myittha Township, Kyaukse district in Mandalay Region. Pinle (Maingmaw) old city is rougly circular in shape. Exploration and systematic excavation have been carried out since 1978-79 and so on until 2010-2011 were excavated. A total of 21 site of Pinle (Maingmaw), comprise gate way, the city wall, fortification, residential building and religious structures associated with burial urns. The excavation gate way of Pinle old city unearthed the trace of cart-track. It is quite larger in size than those of city gateway. Therefore, it is obvious that the cart-track is earlier than the city gateway and people might have lived in Pinle before the establishments of the city wall. They built palace, many Buddhist stupa and other religious buildings. The archaeological findings for comprise brick and finger-marked bricks, pottery and potsherds, coins, beads, burial runs, iron objects, gold and silver Buddha image and etc. Pyu coins have the rising symbol of sun/srivasta and Buddhapitha/Srivasta strongly suggest that Pinle was once contemporary with other Pyu cities as Visnu, Halin and Sriksetra. According to its landscape, Pinle (maingmaw) old city is connected with the four main rivers such as Myintnge, Zawgyi, Panlaung, and Samon are the main source of water for Cultivation. And then, it has three enclosure walls showing that the city was fairly popular and powerful politically. Therefore, Pinle (Maingmaw) reflects the early urbanization or early Pyu period.
Acknowledgements I would like to thank Daw Tin Tin Win, Professor, Head of Department of Archaeology, Yadanabon University for the permission of doing the research and providing research facilities. Special thanks are extended Daw Myint Myint Head of Department of English, Yadanabon University for her advice on my English writing. Thank are also due to Dr Maung Maung Naing, Rector, Dr Si Si Khin, Pro-Rector and Dr Tin Moe Thuzar, Pro- Rector, Yadanabon University for permission opportunity to present this paper.
Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 7
References Myanmar Sources Aung Myint, U rkdif;armNrdKUa[mif;ESifh ywfoufonfh yPmrpl;prf; avhvmrIrsm; pmwrf;trSwf (4) 1977/ Preliminary Survey of Minemaw Paper (4) 1977. Aye Maung, U rkdif;armNrdKUa[mif;wl;azmfrItpD&ifcHpm? ,Ofaus;rI 0efBuD;Xme (2008-2009 b@m a&;ESpf) The Excavation Report on Maingmaw Old City, Ministry of Culture, 2008-9 (24.5.08-9.7.08) May Su Ko, Dr Coins of Pinle, M.Res (Thesis, Department of Archaeology, Yadanabon University, 2010, p-1. Myo Nyunt & Kyaw Myo yifv,fNrdKUa[mif;ukef;trSwf(20-21) wl;azmfrItpD&ifcHpm Win The Excavation Report on Pinle Old City, Ministry of Culture, 2010 (6.6.2010- 11.7.2010). Myo Nyunt, U yifv,fNrdKUa[mif;wl;azmfrIyPmrtpD&ifcHpm? ,Ofaus;rI 0efBuD;Xme (2009 ckESpf) Prcliminary excavation report of Pinle, Ministry of Culture, 2009 (14.9.09)- 24.10.09) Myo Nyunt, U yifv,fNrdKUa[mif;wl;azmfrIyPmrtpD&ifcHpm? ,Ofaus;rI 0efBuD;Xme (2009 ckESpf)/ The Secondary Report of Excavation on Pinle Old City, Ministry of Culture, 2009 (19.9.09-24.10.09) Nyeing Maung, U a&S;a[mif;jrefrmpmausmufpmrsm; (Ancient Myanmar Inscriptions), Vol II, Archaeology Department, Yangon. 1972-1987. San, Shwe, Dr The Culture of Visnu Old City, Uncovering Southeast Asia Past, IANC Golden and Vincent C.Pigott, NUS Press, 2006. Sein Mg Oo, U rdkif;armNrdKUa[mif;wl;azmfrItpD&ifcHpm ,Ofaus;rI0efBuD; Xme? 1982/ The Excavation Report on Maingmaw Old City, Ministry of Culture, 1982. Sein Mg Oo, U rkdif;armNrdKUa[mif;wl;azmfrIyPmr tpD&ifcHpm (Excavations at Maingmaw: Preliminary Report), (Unpublished), Archaeological Department of Mandalay Branch, 1979. Than Tun, Dr acwfa[mif;jrefrm&mZ0if? r[m'*Hk 1966 Ancient History of Myanmar, 1966 Maha Dagon Than Tun, Dr ZAÁL'DyOaoQmifusrf;? orkdif;aumfr&Sif 2005/ Jabudipaushaungkyan, Myanmar Historical Commission, 2005 Yi Sein,U ysLwyfNrdKUtcsdKU\wnfae&m (Location of Some Pyu Garrason Towns). November 1984, Nyan Lin Dhamma Sar Padaythar Yangon. English Sources Moore, Elizabeth and, "Change in the Landscape of first millennium AD Moore, H. Elizabeth Early landscape of Myanmar, River Book, 1st publish, Thailand, Bangkok, 2007 Stewart, J.A Burma Gazetteer Kyaukse District. Vol-A. Rangoo Government Printing and stationary. 1925 Than Tun, Dr "A forgotten Town of Burma". The Working People Daily, 24.2.1978 Win Min Thein The Geographical study of Crop Association in Kyaukse District PhD (Dissertation), Department of Geography, University of Mandalay, July 2010. Yadanabon University Research Journal 2019, Vol-10, No.1 8
Internet Website https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/firs-Pyu-Ancient-City.com